7 Weight-Loss Transformations: Couples Edition

By Abigail L. Cuffey

Couples who shape up together…stay together? Perhaps. These seven twosomes decided it was finally time to get healthy and made some serious changes. Bonus: Their relationships improved, too!

Josh, 36, and Terri, 44, from Fishers, IN

Weight Lost: Josh, over 100 pounds; Terri, 100 pounds
How We Did It: We began with the Weight Watchers Starter Kit, which helped us slowly change our eating habits, and committed to walking just 15 minutes per night. Now, we regularly jog 5Ks.
Top Tip: Shop together! We go to the grocery store with our Points tracker books (or use the Weight Watchers mobile app) to evaluate the labels and look for new foods to try. Right now we're trying different vegetarian foods such as the fake meats you can find in the freezer section, because they're high in protein but low in fat.
Relationship Bonus: This way of life has opened up a whole new world for us. For instance, we now love going to the mall to walk and shop; previously, we shied away from it because clothes shopping was too depressing. We're closer than ever because of our weight loss.

Timothy, 43, and Eileen, 45, from Chicago

Weight Lost: Timothy, 36 pounds; Eileen, 18 pounds
How We Did It: We started working out at CrossFit Chicago, a total-body fitness program that focuses on functional movements (i.e., moves you would do in everyday life, such as squats or lifting heavy objects) performed at a high intensity (as quickly as possible). Then, we cut out all processed food and ate only "real food." We felt so energetic right away and that made us want to continue exercising and eating right.
Top Tip: Make the commitment to yourself and your spouse that you will do at least one activity-such as exercise or eating healthy-together. Your spouse can give you that extra support you need to make sure you continue.
Relationship Bonus: When you feel good and look good, you absolutely reap the benefits of a better sex life!

Zach, 37, and Brecca, 31, from Wichita, KS

Weight Lost: Zach, 107 pounds; Brecca, 60 pounds
How We Did It: We lost weight by changing our eating habits (no more dining out all the time and portion control) and exercising at our local YMCA.
Top Tip: Be your partner's cheerleader, not his or her policeman.
Relationship Bonus: "I can't help but look at Zach the way I did when we met 11 years ago. To sum it up: Life is spicier!" Brecca says.

Jim, 49, and Pam, 41, from Orange Park, FL

Weight Lost: Jim, 85 pounds; Pam, 45 pounds
How We Did It: We started attending Weight Watchers meetings for support. The face-to-face meetings are really what kept us accountable as we learned to phase processed foods out of our diet. For exercise, we started walking each day. Now, we love to hike and ride bikes.
Top Tip: Make it fun! We love trying new low-calorie foods such as lentils and couscous, and searching the Web for recipes. Sometimes the recipes work, sometimes they don't-we'll never forget the cake made out of chickpeas!
Relationship Bonus: When snacks were removed as a way of demonstrating our love for each other, it became necessary to get more creative. Now we use words or acts of kindness to express how we are feeling.

Tony, 36, and Sheila, 30, from Andover, CT

Weight Lost: Tony, 225 pounds; Sheila, 74 pounds
How We Did It: We started small and built on that. Tony started riding a stationary bike 15 minutes daily and walking for just 5 minutes at a time. Now, he does 45 to 60 minutes of cardio five to six times per week as well as riding a stationary bike at home. I joined the gym and swim in a nearby lake during warmer months. We also quit fast food, and now, most of what we eat is cooked at home.
Top Tip: Branch out. Having support from someone you love pushes you harder when the going gets tough, but we are also active members of SparkPeople.com, a community-based health and fitness website. Tony also gets support to stay on track through his blog, ZeusMeatball.Blogspot.com.
Relationship Bonus: We now do everything together and every aspect of our relationship is better since the weight came off. "I feel like I got my boyfriend, not just my husband, back, because Tony was active when we first met," Sheila says.

Jason, 39, and Deborah, 38, from Tonawanda, NY

Weight Lost: Jason, 63 pounds; Deborah, 36 pounds
How We Did It: After viewing pictures of ourselves from a vacation to the Dominican Republic, we decided enough was enough. We both had prior experience with the South Beach Diet and knew it could work. So we bought The South Beach Diet Supercharged book as well as the cookbook version, and an online subscription to SouthBeachDiet.com.
Top Tip: Prepare your home. Once we made the commitment to South Beach, we cleaned out all of our cabinets to get rid of unhealthy temptations.
Relationship Bonus: Even the little things improve. For example, we like to lay on the couch together and snuggle, but we couldn't do that when we were overweight because we didn't fit. It's easier to be closer now-literally!

Kevin, 50, and Tracy, 44, from Mount Vernon, IL

Weight Lost: Kevin, 124 pounds; Tracy, 35 pounds
How We Did It: We joined a local TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) chapter after chatting with a woman at a health fair who lost a ton of weight with the program. Through the weekly meetings, we learned how to make better eating choices and started to exercise as well. We started out with basic cardio, and now, Kevin recently completed his first marathon!
Top Tip: Remember this mantra: "If you bite it, you must write it." Hokey, but true! By writing down every morsel we put in our mouth, we always knew how many calories we were consuming, which kept us aware and on track.
Relationship Bonus: We are excited to take walks and do outdoor activities together. "I will never forget the first time our small dog realized that her human could chase and catch her when she ran away! I don't know who was more surprised-the dog or Kevin," says Tracy. Just knowing that we are doing all we can to extend our lives as a team makes the weight-loss struggles worth it.